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Top tips for renting privately

Renting privately can be a great option. You have much more choice about the type and location of property you end up living in. However, we get a lot of calls from people who have had problems in their privately rented home. Whether you've rented before or you're a private renting novice, check out our top tips to make sure your experience is a positive one.

1. Don't be rushed during a viewing

2. Don't sign unless you're absolutely sure

Don't commit to an agreement that you may not be able to keep. Sometimes people don't get the grades they need to get into a course or haven't worked out their finances to see if they can actually afford to move out of home. It's virtually impossible to get out of a tenancy agreement without a severe financial penalty if you've just changed your mind.

Your guarantor may end up having to pay rent for a full year for somewhere you're not even living. You'll also probably lose any deposit you paid if you change your mind. Read the agreement carefully before you sign, get advice on anything you're not sure about and make sure you get a copy of the agreement.

3. Triple check the property's condition

If you're moving out of home for the first time you're probably so excited at the thought of your own place that you don't think about the practicalities. But come the freezing cold mornings in January you could be cursing your single glazed windows and leaky shower. Check everything thoroughly.

If you're moving in on the condition that the landlord carries out certain repairs, get a list of repair work and a date by which it will be completed in writing and signed by the landlord. Quality standards in private housing are pretty low and it can be frustrating trying to force a landlord to carry out repairs and improvements.

4. Know what you're liable for

If you're moving into a property with a group of other people, find out if you can be held responsible for anything they owe to the landlord. If your tenancy agreement says you are jointly and severally liable you may end up paying your flatmates' rent if they leave the property.

If your guarantor signs an agreement with joint and several liability they could also find themselves footing the bill for someone else's costs. Read your tenancy agreement carefully. Read the inventory you've been given and make sure you note down anything that you disagree with.

5. Know your rights

Regardless of how you pay your rent, your landlord must give you a rent book. This should contain your landlord's name, address and telephone number even if an agent is managing the property. You have a right to these details and it's important that you keep a record of them.

6. Know your rates!

Understanding who has to pay rates can cause massive headaches for private tenants. If you live in a HMO (a house with a minimum of 3 tenants from at least 2 families) your landlord is responsible for passing the rent on to Land & Property Services (LPS) although he may collect the money from you as part of your monthly rental charge.

If you live in a property that's not a HMO (say you share with just one other person or live in a property with someone who is related to you) you need to be clear on who is responsible for passing the rates money to LPS. Unlike other parts of the UK, students still have to pay rates in NI.

7. Protect your investment

Look after your new home and your property. It's pretty standard to be asked to pay a deposit when you take on a new tenancy. Your landlord can keep some or all of this money if you've damaged the property or owe any rent.

9. Be a good neighbour

Make sure you know what day your bins are collected and try to bring them back in as soon as they've been emptied as "bin theft" is a common crime in some areas and you'll probably have to pay for a new one if your bin disappears.